The Bulgarian Industrial Chamber (BIA) warns that several key sectors of the economy are facing an increasingly severe shortage of workers, alongside a clear and persistent trend of workforce aging across both industries and regions.
The findings are based on 11 sectoral and regional labor market analyses carried out under the “Together for Sustainable Employment” project, financed through the Human Resources Development Program and implemented in cooperation with employer organizations. The research covers the districts of Burgas, Vratsa, Dobrich, Smolyan, and Shumen, as well as industries including metallurgy, woodworking, furniture manufacturing, plastics production, fruit and vegetable processing, and restaurants.
Across most of these sectors, the central problem identified is the difficulty in replacing older employees as they leave the labor force. The imbalance is especially visible in technical professions such as crane operators, welders, and industrial equipment mechanics, where younger workers are significantly outnumbered by those nearing retirement age.
A particularly stark example is the role of “fireman” in the food industry, where data show a ratio of 100 workers over the age of 55 to only three younger employees, placing the occupation among those at highest risk of severe staffing shortages.
The analysis tracks insured workers between 2020 and 2024 and confirms a steady shift toward an older workforce. In many regions and sectors, the proportion of employees over 55 continues to grow, while younger age groups are shrinking, raising concerns about long-term sustainability in certain industries.
However, the situation is not uniform across the economy. The restaurant sector stands out as an exception, attracting a considerably higher share of younger workers. In roles such as waiters and bartenders, younger employees outnumber older ones, suggesting that service industries remain more successful in drawing new labor market entrants.
In manufacturing, the only notable exception is the profession of machine operator in metallurgy, where automation and modern technologies appear to make the job more appealing to younger workers. According to experts involved in the study, this indicates that technological upgrading could play a key role in addressing workforce shortages in industrial production.
The regional reports also examine enrollment in vocational education, comparing planned intake with actual demand for specific professions. The aim is to support better alignment between education policy and labor market needs, particularly in the context of employment trends, digital transformation, and the green transition.
As summarized in the BIA analysis, “industrial sectors are facing serious difficulties in replacing aging staff,” highlighting a structural labor imbalance that is expected to remain a major challenge for Bulgaria’s economy in the coming years.